On Super-Parents Products

I might argue that there are a few products and services for parenting: - drugs for managing behavioural disorders in children, enabling them to focus and function normally - "outsourcing" to daycare and after school care (I certainly spent a lot of time there as a kid, myself, and it definitely shaped me as a person - govt subsidised in Australia and regulated fairly tightly). - mothercare nurses, night nurses, karitane; all there for the years of 0-5 for parents who are struggling with PPD or just parenthood in general. - cloth nappy service (for those who can afford it). - Supernanny (not a product, but she does have merchandise, I believe). - Actual nannies (again, for those who can afford it).

Posted on May 21, 2013 at 1:36 am 0

On Zach and the Homeless Woman

This is adorable and wonderful! How did he pay for it, though? He wasn't super successful 20 years ago, was he? I'm guessing he wouldn't have a whole lot of money himself, unless I'm missing something?

Posted on May 21, 2013 at 12:01 am 0

On Markets in Everything When There Shouldn't Be Markets in Everything

Most appropriate tag ever, Mike.

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:24 am 0

On The Story of My Secondhand Stuff

@maddog That couple sounds totally golden. How sweet!

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:21 am 0

On The Story of My Secondhand Stuff

@maddog That couple sounds totally golden. How sweet!

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:21 am 0

On The Story of My Secondhand Stuff

@polka dots vs stripes I am currently deskless and would do anything for that desk, seriously!

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:20 am 0

On The Story of My Secondhand Stuff

@Mike Dang Haha, I would love to do this, but my list would be too short - Mr TARDIStime and I have a very bare-bones apartment atm!

Posted on May 15, 2013 at 12:19 am 0

On What Percentage of Your Pay Do You Spend on Rent?

28% of my take-home on my share of the rent. It would be a lower percentage for my partner, who works full-time (we split rent 50/50 but I'm a student so I earn less money than him). We're in Western Sydney, 15 min walk from a major train station and bus interchange, 1/2 hour from the city by train. Our apt was marketed as 2 bedroom (eternally optimistic real estate agents, amirite?) but is more like 1 bed + office. We're definitely being charged below market value, I tell you, bc our apt is like a rental unicorn. We're the only renters in a small building with all other apts owner-occupied. Everyone's lived in the building for like 10 years, minimum. I would sign a three-year lease, like, right now if I could.

Posted on May 14, 2013 at 8:17 pm 0

On Pro: There's a Place to Hang Clothes. Con: Everything Else

@faustbanana I had a friend who rented a cupboard under the stairs that had a window about that big. She could fit her single mattress in there, but it touched the walls. It was L-Shaped, so she could fit a desk and chair, too. She hung her clothing on the rail that was in the wall above her mattress, just over her head - it was ~50cm wide? Bargain basement price, though - $90/week?!?!?! I seriously couldn't even when I visited her there (once and once only). She lasted a month before breaking her "lease".

Posted on May 14, 2013 at 8:11 pm 0

On My Parents Gave Me Money, But They Also Gave Me Tools

@TARDIStime Also: props to you, author, for accepting that so well and not being a whiny bitch about it. It's great that you're resolving to be resourceful to pay for your studies.

Posted on May 13, 2013 at 9:14 pm 0